Esquire will open later this year

After a little game of phone tag, I finally caught up with Chris Hill, the new owner of the Esquire Tavern, this week.

He expects the Esquire to reopen in four to five months. As for what it will look like?

"All we're doing is cleaning it up a little bit," Hill said. "It will return to its venerable, little old self. We have started cleaning up the bar and trying to get it sort of serviceable and functioning again."

Hill, who owns other property downtown, said he has contacted some of the Esquire's former employees.

"It's going to be like it's been for a long time," he said. "We've found some of the old employees, so we'll be approaching them."

Hill said he is keeping the "same old booths and tiles." As for the vintage wallpaper? "It was so nasty that it came down," he said. I guess you can't win'em all. Pour a little for the wallpaper later.

As for the drinking: The Esquire will keep much of its former drink menu, which means you can still order Lone Stars and cocktails on the cheap. Because beer prices are going up everywhere, Hill said beer will remain cheap relative to most bars. And there are plans to add a kitchen eventually.

As for why Hill decided to purchase the Esquire from previous owner Rock Grinnan?  "I think it's important to keep some of the old on the river."